Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
